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Gov. Holcomb to Announce Developments in COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus

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Gov. Eric J. Holcomb, the Indiana State Department of Health and other state leaders will host a media briefing today to provide updates on COVID-19 and its impact on Indiana.

WHO:              Gov. Holcomb

State Health Commissioner Kristina Box, M.D., FACOG

WHEN:            2:30 p.m., Monday, March 16

WHERE:          Indiana Statehouse

South Atrium

200 W. Washington St.

Indianapolis, IN 46204

A mult box will be provided. A live stream will be available at https://indiana.adobeconnect.com/indiana.

More information may be found at the ISDH website at https://on.in.gov/COVID19 and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Gov. Holcomb Announces More Steps to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

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In a continuing effort to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Eric J. Holcomb has announced additional efforts.

The governor and other state officials will conduct a COVID-19 briefing today at 2:30 p.m. in the south atrium of the Indiana Statehouse with the latest updates on testing and cases.

Here are additional directives from Governor Holcomb.

 

  • Indiana will adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for large events and mass gatherings. The guidance recommends no in-person events of more than 50 people. Here is a link to the guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html
  • Under the current guidance for schools, 273 public school districts are closed, using e-learning days, or on spring break and have announced a future closure. The Department of Education is working with the remaining 16 school corporations to determine their next steps and needs
  • Bars, nightclubs and restaurants are required to close to in-person patrons and may provide take-out and delivery services through the end of March
  • Hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers should cancel and/or postpone elective and non-urgent surgical procedures immediately. This action will help the healthcare system conserve resources and personnel necessary to meet emerging health needs
    • Physicians should continue to perform critical procedures necessary to prevent short-term and/or long-term adverse effects to their patients’ overall health
  • The state’s Emergency Operations Center has been raised to a Level 1 status and will work in conjunction with the incident command center at the Indiana State Department of Health for planning, coordination, predictive analysis and other functions
  • State employees will maximize the use of remote work and meet virtually whenever possible while maintaining operations. Non-essential in-person meetings will be limited to 10 persons or less and should meet virtually whenever possible. High-risk individuals should not attend meetings in person
  • State employees over the age of 60 with underlying health conditions are advised to work from home, and agencies should identify work that can be accomplished remotely for those individuals
  • The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, which are closed on Mondays, will close to the public beginning Tuesday
  • The visitors center at White River State Park will close
  • Indiana state parks and recreation centers, including state park inns, remain open. Restaurants will convert operations to take-out and delivery
  • State agencies already are developing remote work plans for employees and will continue to implement them while maintaining necessary state services. Employees who work outdoors are encouraged to practice social distancing
  • The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has suspended rules requiring certain unemployment insurance claimants to physically appear at a Work One location to engage in reemployment services for the next four weeks. This will ensure that individuals who may be symptomatic do not have to physically appear to continue their unemployment insurance eligibility
    • The DWD will also request flexibility under federal and state law to expand eligibility for claimants and ease burdens on employers.
  • The Indiana Economic Development Corporation will postpone the inaugural Indiana Global Economic Summit, scheduled for April 26-28
  • Communities are encouraged to work together to provide child care options for all who need assistance and delivery services of meals and other necessities for senior citizens
  • Hoosiers who can donate blood are encouraged to visit local blood centers. Blood supplies are low. Please follow the guidance at www.redcross.org

More information may be found at the ISDH website at https://on.in.gov/COVID19 and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Heath Department Updates COVID-10 Count

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The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today reported five new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, bringing to 24 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories.

The new cases involve residents of Bartholomew (1), Floyd (1), Hendricks (1), Howard (1) and Marion (1) counties and have been included on ISDH’s online dashboard at https://www.in.gov/coronavirus/. The list of counties with cases is included in the dashboard, which will be updated daily at 10 a.m. Cases are listed by county of residence.

Additional updates on the state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak will be provided later today.

EPD COVID-19 information

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In compliance with the CDC’s recommendations on safeguarding against the COVID-19 virus, The Evansville Police Department will suspend several of its community gathering functions. Coffee with a Cop, Chops with Cops, Citizens Academy, the ride along program, and participation in neighborhood meetings are among the functions that will be suspended in an effort to keep citizens safe. Rest assured we will continue daily patrols and responses to emergency calls. The protection of our citizens and their way of life is our utmost priority.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY RECENT BOOKING RECORDS

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https://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/jail-recent-booking-records.aspx

“IS IT TRUE” MARCH 16, 2020

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We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?

(Recently we detected an issue where our subscribers may have not been getting breaking news alerts from the City-County Observer. This notification is to let you know that starting today you have been added to receive future news alerts.  If you no longer want to receive future news alerts please opt-out by clicking the  link in your e-mail to unsubscribe)

IS IT TRUE in order to get a grip on the CORONAVIRUS the authorities need to test, separate and then treat?

IS IT TRUE that COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel or new, coronavirus that has not been previously identified? …the virus causing COVID-19 is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold?

IS IT TRUE one of the reasons why CORONAVIRUS is considered to be deadly is because currently there are no known vaccines to protect us against it?

IS IT TRUE it’s a known fact when more Coronavirus tests are done it will produce more positive Coronavius results?

IS IT TRUE if the Coronavirus is contained the politicians will take all the credit for it?  …if the virus can’t be contained then the politicians will blame the medical professionals for the failure?

IS IT TRUE we are very thankful that the powers that be in Washington, DC have finally figured out how to mass-produce the COVID-19 tests? …we are appreciative that the politicians have given our medical professional the legislative support, medical research and laboratory funding, the legal authority, support staff to figure out ways to treat this potentially deadly virus?  …its time that our medical professionals be allowed to move forward without interruptions from some of the showboating politicians?

IS IT TRUE as of last the night Illinois has 93, Kentucky has 21 and Indiana has 20 active cases of the Coronavirus? …we are still surprised that not one active (1) Coranvius case has been reported in Vanderburgh County?

 IS IT TRUE we now know how many positive Coronavirus cases we currently have in Indiana?  …we would like to know how many Coronavius tests were issued to Hoosiers so far?

IS IT TRUE we are told that the Coronavius bailout package just approved by Congress has multi-million-dollars worth of “PORK BARREL” spending projects in it?

IS IT TRUE the Indiana Racing and Gaming Commission has decided to close down all the Casinos in Indiana until the Coronavius crisis is over?  …the Kentucky Racing Commission has also decided to close down all Slots and Horse Racing establishments starting tomorrow?  …we give five (5) cheers to the Indiana Racing and Gaming Commission and the Kentucky Racing Commission for putting public health over profits?

IS IT TRUE we are told that when you have a major crisis the best approach is to plan for the worst?

IS IT TRUE a PANDEMIC is when the entire world fight a common enemy?

IS IT TRUE the Coronavirus is no longer a foreign disease but is now an American disease?

IS IT TRUE that the Coronavius doesn’t discriminate against natural origin, race, color, creed, educational background, gender, blue or white-collar workers, religion, political affiliation, age, sexual preference, rich or poor, type of neighborhood you live in, or mental or physical challenges?

IS IT TRUE in order to survive you shouldn’t let a crisis manage you but you should manage it?

IS IT TRUE we are told that the general public is getting really tired of elected officials upstaging of our medical professionals when they attempt to give COVID-19 updates to the masses?

IS IT TRUE that the CDC does not recommend that people who are well wearing a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19?  …they say that you should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it? …facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms to protect others from the risk of infection?

IS IT TRUE that Coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing? … close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands; touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands will cause contamination?

IS IT TRUE “A record number of rural hospitals lost money last year? … many hundreds of rural hospitals are classified by health officials as being at ‘high risk of imminent failure and hundreds more have cut services or turned over control to outside ownership groups in an attempt to stave off closure?  …we are glad to hear that the Feds are going to help subsidize our rural hospitals during the Coronavirus crisis?

IS IT TRUE that local health departments are trying to ensure that infection-control protocols practice self-isolation and monitoring for symptoms are implemented in order for them to be able to identify, diagnose and treat the COVID-19?

IS IT TRUE one of our readers sent us an article we posted several years ago written by the award-winning ProPublica that made reference to a local hospital filing around 20,000 collections lawsuits against poor people while reporting $150 to $200 million dollar yearly profits during that time? …this article also references that a local hospital administrator was compensated around $1.74 million dollars a year (not including benefits) during the time the article was written?

IS IT TRUE our “READERS POLLS” are non-scientific but trendy?

Today’s “Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that President Trump is finally getting a grip on how to contain the Coronavirus?
Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE FILES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, “READERS POLL”, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS”, EDUCATION, OBITUARIES and “LOCAL SPORTS”.
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A DISASTER AND EMERGENCY KIT THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

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Build A Kit

Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Most of the items are inexpensive and easy to find, and anyone of them could save your life. Headed to the store? Download a printable version to take with you. Once you take a look at the basic items, consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets, or seniors.

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

  • Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
  • Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and an NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Extra batteries
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Manual can opener for food
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
  • Download the Recommended Supplies List (PDF)

Additional Emergency Supplies

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:

  • Prescription medications
  • Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
  • Glasses and contact lens solution
  • Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
  • Pet food and extra water for your pet
  • Cash or traveler’s checks
  • Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
  • Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
  • Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
  • Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels, and plastic utensils
  • Paper and pencil
  • Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Maintaining Your Kit

After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed:

  • Keep canned food in a cool, dry place
  • Store boxed food in a tightly closed plastic or metal containers
  • Replace expired items as needed
  • Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Kit Storage Locations

Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and vehicles.

  • Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
  • Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a “grab and go” case.
  • Vehicle: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.

Trump Can’t Cancel the Election. But States Could Do It for Him

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JURISPRUDENCE

Trump Can’t Cancel the Election. But States Could Do It for Him

There’s a perfectly legal shortcut around a free and fair presidential election.

By MARK JOSEPH STERN

As COVID-19 spreads throughout the United States, forcing the cancellation of countless mass gatherings, lawmakers are struggling to decide what to do about upcoming elections. Four other states will still go to the polls on Tuesday, but Louisiana has postponed its April primary to June, under the optimistic assumption that everything will go back to normal by then. But what if, as many scientists predict, coronavirus spreads widely through the spring and summer? And what if, come November, the nation is still in the grips of a pandemic? Could Donald Trump simply cancel the 2020 presidential election?

The answer is no: Congress, not the president, has the power to move Election Day. And even if Congress did postpone the vote, the Constitution would terminate Trump’s term on Jan. 20, 2021. If Trump sought to cancel the election and remain in office past that point, then, he would require not just a congressional act but a constitutional amendment. That scenario is extremely improbable.

If the pandemic gets so severe that we cannot responsibly hold in-person elections, Congress should require states to allow no-excuse absentee balloting. But if Trump does not want to risk a loss at the polls, he can exploit a constitutional shortcut around free and fair elections. The president can ask Republican-controlled state legislatures to assign their electoral votes to him—without allowing any citizen to cast a ballot for president. This maneuver would constitute an appalling assault on democracy. But it would be legal.

As the 2016 election reminded the country, the president is chosen by the Electoral College, not the popular vote. There are 538 electors, and a candidate needs 270 of them to win. Currently, every state assigns electors to the candidate who won the popular vote statewide. (Two states add a twist that’s irrelevant here.) But the Constitution does not require states to assign their electors on the basis of the statewide vote. It does not even require a statewide vote. Rather, it explains that each state “shall appoint” its electors “in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct.” In other words, each state legislature gets to decide how electors are appointed—and, by extension, who gets their votes

Today, every state legislature has delegated this task to the people. But at first, state legislatures just did it themselves. In the first presidential election, for instance, the legislatures of Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, New Jersey, and South Carolina appointed electors directly. Eventually, every state moved toward the modern system. But the Supreme Court confirmed in 1892’s McPherson v. Blacker that states were free to revert to the old method, and in 2000’s Bush v. Gore, the court reiterated this point. The majority declared that the state legislature “may, if it so chooses, select the electors itself,” and retains authority to “take back the power to appoint electors” even after switching to a statewide vote.

Put simply, it is perfectly constitutional for a state legislature to scrap statewide elections for president and appoint electors itself. It would also be constitutional for a state legislature to disregard the winner of the statewide vote and assign electors to the loser. And because the Constitution grants legislatures the authority to pick electors this way, Congress cannot stop them.

Due in part to partisan gerrymandering, Republicans control the legislatures of 28 states. Collectively, these states have 294 electoral votes. Trump himself could not cancel the entire presidential election. But he could ask these GOP-dominated legislatures to cancel their statewide presidential elections and assign their electors to him. It’s doubtful that we will face this situation in November. But imagine a worst-case scenario: The election is approaching, and the coronavirus remains rampant in our communities. States are unsure whether they have the personnel and resources to hold an election. Congress has failed to mandate no-excuse absentee balloting, and many states have declined to implement it. Or the postal service is so hard hit that it cannot reliably carry ballots to and from voters’ residences. It’s not difficult to envision Trump’s allies in state legislatures assigning their states’ electoral votes to the president, insisting that these dire circumstances justify pulling a constitutional fire alarm.

There is one catch. This scenario presumes that the state legislature has the power not only to pick electors but also to direct them to vote for a specific candidate. States have long exercised this control over electors’ votes. But the Supreme Court will soon hear two cases brought by electors who assert that they have a constitutional right to vote for whomever they wish. They assert that state legislatures can appoint electors—the human beings themselves—but cannot then require them to vote for a particular candidate, or punish them if they do not. It seems unlikely that the court will grant “faithless electors” the ability to buck state legislatures and cast rogue votes. If the court does give electors this right, however, the entire system will be thrown into chaos. Statewide votes would become largely meaningless because the 538 electors could “vote their conscience” no matter what the state legislature demands.

Let’s assume, though, that SCOTUS will not burn down the current system, and the court allows states to exercise their traditional authority to assign electors to candidates. This system permits legislatures to cancel or ignore the statewide presidential election and effectively decide the election. That shortcut to reelection would be profoundly anti-democratic. But so is the Electoral College itself, and we are still living with its consequences. Until both Republicans and Democrats agree to amend this Rube Goldberg machine out of the Constitution, it will remain a tool for autocrats to wield when they fear the majority has turned against them.

SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS SAY HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION WON’T DECREASE COSTS FOR HOOSIERS

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Indiana House Democratic State Representatives Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis), Ryan Hatfield (D-Evansville) and Terri Austin (D-Anderson) today released the following statements on the House Republicans’ watered-down health care legislation:

 “Hoosiers are still wondering how they are going to afford the next refill of their prescription drugs as House Republicans tout the health care legislation that passed during the 2020 legislative session,” said Shackleford. “Prescription drug prices have increased 58 percent from 2012 to 2017, and the supermajority has wasted another session by not doing anything to address this issue. I made multiple attempts to introduce a proposal that would cap the price of a 30-day supply of insulin at $100, regardless of the type or amount prescribed and introduced legislation to eliminate prescription price gouging. It is time for this legislative body to put the people they represent before their relationships with big pharma, and stop saying health care is a concern, and start legislating like it is.”

“Transparency is not the same as accessible or affordable health care and yet, Republicans stopped short of meaningful legislation choosing instead to pass a half measure under the guise of transparency,” said Hatfield. “I passed legislation this session that would have promoted long-overdue competition in the prescription drug industry, legislation that has already been implemented by the Republican governor in Florida and supported by President Trump. Yet, the House Republicans killed the bill that my amendment was in and once again showed that they will put their relationship with big pharma over Hoosiers.”

“It is estimated that one in five emergency room visits result in surprise billing,” said Austin. “Republicans will say they’ve made great strides this session to help prevent surprise billing, but the truth is, the legislation they pushed would help less than 20% of Hoosiers. I, along with my fellow House Democrats, offered up alternatives that would have made a substantial difference for those who are struggling to cover their medical and insurance bills, like putting harsher regulations on pharmacy benefit managers and allowing the importation of drugs from Canada. By remaining stagnant on policies and refusing to make any significant changes this year, we are only prolonging the suffering of Hoosiers. I believe Hoosiers deserve better than this.”

 

FSSA Offers Additional Guidance To Hoosier Parents And Providers On Child Care Options

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The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, today offered additional guidance for parents of school-aged children and child care providers related to the 2019 novel (new) coronavirus or COVID-19:

  • Families who need help finding or paying for care can contact Brighter Futures Indiana at 800-299-1627 to speak to a referral specialist.
  • Every community has a child care resource and referral agency that can also connect parents with local child care options and provide referrals for support. Families can find their local CCR&R by calling 800-299-1627 or by consulting this map(direct link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/files/Referral_Services_Provider_Map.pdf )
  • When locating care, it is important that families choose licensed and regulated care for their children. To find out if a provider is licensed or regulated, go to www.ChildCareFinder.in.gov or call 800-299-1627. 

Earlier this week, FSSA offered guidance that children who are out of school due to possible contact with a positive case should observe social isolation and be at home, not in a large child care setting. It is also strongly recommended that caregivers for these children during this timeframe NOT be older than age 65 or have a chronic disease or be in an immunosuppressed state. This guidance does not apply to ALL kids whose schools are closing as a precaution.

FSSA also posted a set of frequently asked questions and answers and guidance on several matters related to COVID-19 for child care providers. That document is found here. Today’s update provides more specific guidance on what providers should do in light of a local school closure where there has not been a case of COVID-19 identified, as well as in cases where there has been a positive case.

 FSSA encourages parents and child care providers to check back frequently for updates as guidance could evolve rapidly in the direction of the Indiana State Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We will post updates to the guidance document and issue news releases as necessary. ISDH is also continuously updating information about COVID-19 here.

 

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